PROCESS SYSTEMS

PETRECO Bilectric Dehydrators/Desalters

OIL

State-of-the-art efcient systems

Technologically advanced electrostatic dehydrators/desalters for the treatment of crude oil prior to storage, transportation or refining.

Overview
Camerons dehydrators/desalters are electrostatic precipitators used to remove salt and other contaminants from crude oil. The Bilectric design utilizes a unique three-grid electrode system and horizontal emulsion distribution for superior oil/water separation performance. The Bilectric desalter has been recognized by refining industry leaders as the first choice for heavy crude oil processing. Petreco has over 90 years of history with successful installations. In two-stage installations, salt removal efficiencies up to 99% are routinely achievable.

Operating Principle and Key Features

In electrostatic desalting, crude oil may be heated to decrease the viscosity. The crude oil is intimately mixed with fresh water, which is dispersed in the crude oil as small droplets. The water-in-oil dispersion is then introduced into the pressurized desalter vessel where a high voltage electrical field accelerates separation of the water laden with salt and other contaminants combined in the oil. Distributors feed the crude and emulsified water in two parallel horizontal radial streams between the three electrodes. The oil emulsion streams flowing outward from the distributor encounter optimal conditions for rapid coalescence. As coalescence proceeds, water droplets grow large enough to overcome the viscosity of the crude and fall due to gravity. They descend in a rain-like pattern out of the flowing oil into the non-turbulent pool of water below. Electrodes are engineered to maximize the performance of the dual horizontal distribution system. The distribution system also allows for aggressive mixing with a specialty valve of the wash water and crude oil so that when coalescence occurs, more impurities are removed with the water and cleaner treated product is realized. The strong electric field is also less dependent on chemicals for coalescence, so lower chemical consumption is typical. Clean oil, freed of contaminants, continuously rises to the top of the vessel and flows out, while the accumulated water and sediment mixture is automatically withdrawn from the bottom of the vessel for disposal. The dual horizontal distribution system gives the BILECTRIC desalter significantly better treating capacity than a conventional desalter and enhances the control of interface emulsion.

BILECTRIC Design
Transformer Transformer LC

Outlet

Outlet Collector

Distributor

Distributor Mudwash Heater Inlet

Header

LCV Mudwash Pump Mix Valve Efuent Water

Conventional Desalter

BILECTRIC

Data Sheet | TC9814-041

PROCESS SYSTEMS

Product Range
Cameron designs equipment to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our vast experience includes some of the following:  Crude oil in Venezuela and Canada of 12
API up to 50 API Saudi crudes

BILECTRIC
The Bilectric desalter permits the maximum throughput, flexibility and reliability for any given vessel size, handles a wide range of crude oil gravities and viscosities and works with minimum operator supervision. The dual flow configuration provides up to twice the capacity per unit volume of vessel than that of vertical flow desalters. The BILECTRIC design holds water level high, near mid-vessel, to allow maximum residence time for oil to separate from effluent water. The smaller size and weight are also particularly advantageous in offshore applications.

L O C AT I ONS United States of America 11210 Equity Dr., Suite 100 Houston, TX 77041 USA TEL +713.849.7500 United Kingdom Cameron House 61-73 Staines Road West Sunbury-on-Thames Middlesex, UK TW16 7AH TEL +44.1932.732000 Singapore 2 Gul Circle (Gate 2) Jurong, Singapore 629560 TEL +65.6861.3355 OtHer locations Abu Dhabi Australia Brazil Calgary Colombia France Japan

 Single unit flow rates from 160 m3/day to

47,700 m3/day (1000 BPD to 300,000 BPD)

with the ability to combine multiple units

BS&W down to 0.2% typically

Benefits and Advantages

These units have proven reliable experience of more than 20 years and there are thousands of units operating worldwide in a wide variety of applications. Throughput flexibility Feedtype flexibility High quality crude outlet High quality water output Reduced operation and maintenance costs Reduced chemical dependency Excellent flow distribution  Rapid coalescence with minimal electrical power consumption  Interface emulsion control

Applications
Oil production Onshore and offshore
FPSOs

Installations Examples
Arctic - Russia, Canada Jungle - Nigeria, Venezuela Desert - Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Offshore - North Sea, Brazil, Gulf of Mexico Onshore - Worldwide

Crude Oil Outlet Transformers

Mexico Saudi Arabia Russia

Insulators Outlet Collector Inlet Distributors Electrode (Three Tiers)

www.c-a-m.com

Emulsifying Valve (Blends added wash water with impurities in the crude through a shearing action which forms ne, emulsied water droplets) Crude Inlet

Level Control Valve Inlet Distributors Header

Efuent Water Outlet

2010 Cameron | PETRECO and BILECTRIC are registered trademarks of Cameron | Printed in USA | 07/10 TC9814-041